How Could You?

elisa915

这文章已经有人帖过中文版了, 可是很想再帖一次
好让那些没看过的朋友们看一次
这是原装版在作者自己的网页COPY下来的...

作者JIM WILLIS花了八千美金买了一页全国最出名的报子纸来登这篇文章
我看了几次都

*****
When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and madeyou laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewedshoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your bestfriend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask"How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for abellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you wereterribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nightsof nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secretdreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We wentfor long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (Ionly got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and Itook long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end ofthe day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, andmore time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently,comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided youabout bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and whenyou fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her intoour home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happybecause you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I sharedyour excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled,and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I mighthurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or toa dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner oflove."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur andpulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes,investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everythingabout them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent -and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secretdreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that youproduced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject.I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resentedevery expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and theywill be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've madethe right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I wasyour only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animalshelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. Youfilled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home forher." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand therealities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." Youhad to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No,Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, andwhat lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty,about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gaveme a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused totake my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now Ihave one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about yourupcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another goodhome. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedulesallow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. Atfirst, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping itwas you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a baddream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone whomight save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolickingfor attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, Iretreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and Ipadded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quietroom. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not toworry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but therewas also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which shebears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew yourevery mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down hercheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so manyyears ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As Ifelt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay downsleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry."She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure Iwent to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused orabandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light sovery different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, Itried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?"was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinkingof. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

The End
*****